English singer-songwriter Kate Bush began her career in the mid-1970's, quickly topping the U.K. charts with her debut single “Wuthering Heights.” But since her first tour in 1979, Bush has shied away from the stage – and has only performed publicly a handful of times. Now, she’s in the midst of a comeback of sorts – a 22 night run at London’s Hammersmith Apollo that’s also regenerated an interest in her back catalog. Eight of her albums have charted on the UK Top 40 albums chart in the past few weeks.
With Bush back in the news and back on the charts, we figured that now would be a good time for us all to get a little bit smarter about the elusive artist. In a conversation with Soundcheck host John Schaefer (the audio link above), Sophie Harris of Time Out New York and Ben Ratliff of The New York Times delve into Bush's music, her recent run of shows and more. Below, Schaefer shares his list of ten essential Kate Bush songs.
On Tuesday, The New York Times reported that Kate Bush had eight albums in the British Top 40 charts this past week. That sets a new record for a woman -- she still trails some guy named Elvis, who had 12 albums on the charts at once after his death in 1977, and The Beatles, who had 11. Kate Bush had no chance at matching either artist: she’s only released 10 albums.
Still, why the sudden rush of Brits to buy Kate Bush records, some of them now decades old? Because the English singer and art-pop songwriter just began a series of 22 shows at London’s Hammersmith Apollo, running through October 1. And because this represents the first opportunity for her fans to see a Kate Bush concert since her first tour, 35 years ago. So for most of her fans, it’s a first opportunity to see her live, period. Those 22 shows sold out in 15 minutes.
I don't think Kate Bush ever intended to be a recluse, or an eccentric, two labels the British press have tagged her with over the years. But like The Beatles and a handful of other artists (ranging from the band XTC to producer Brian Eno to the late classical pianist Glenn Gould), Bush discovered that as she worked on writing, shaping, and producing her songs, the studio had become her primary instrument. Most of her greatest songs involve things that would be difficult to pull off live, whether it’s the sliced-and-diced processing of the vocals in “Waking the Witch,” or the Bulgarian voices in “Deeper Understanding,” or the menagerie of instruments – including Australian didjeridoo, Irish pipes, and electric cellos – that pop up in the midst of her dense layers of keyboards and percussion.
Anyway, Kate Bush is back, and it sounds like the concerts, so far, have been pretty amazing. If you’re not a fan, however, you may be wondering what all the fuss is about. So here I’d like to offer a short Kate Bush primer -- ten essential tracks -- to give you an idea of why she is such a big deal.
"Hounds Of Love" from Hounds Of Love (1985)
Title track from the 1985 album that is probably her masterpiece. Her reputation as a perfectionist in the studio rests on songs like this: here, the gradual, dramatic and ultimately propulsive rhythms all come from a single overdubbed cellist.
"Running Up That Hill" from Hounds Of Love (1985)
Kate Bush’s sole hit single in America. A good example of the richly textured production that characterizes much of her work.
"Suspended In Gaffa" from The Dreaming (1982)
“Gaffa” is English slang for gaffer’s tape, or duct tape. This remarkable, addictive song waltzes cheerfully along while pondering what it means to think you’ve seen an angel.
"The Big Sky" from Hounds Of Love (1985)
Another song , which explodes at the end into the kind of chorus that may make you think of the Beatles’ “Hey Jude” or any number of songs by the New Pornographers.
"Wuthering Heights" from The Kick Inside (1978)
From Bush’s debut album, this was my introduction to Kate Bush. David Gilmour of Pink Floyd mentored the teenage singer so that was good enough for me – but then she actually performed this Bronte-inspired song on Saturday Night Live. She was weird and beautiful and just a little older than me, and I was smitten.
"The Sensual World" from The Sensual World (1989)
Title track from the album inspired by Molly Bloom’s soliloquy in James Joyce’s Ulysses. Joyce’s estate wouldn’t give her permission to use the text though, so Bush wrote her own, and it was a seductive gem. In 2011, with copyright about to expire, the Joyce estate granted her belated permission and Bush re-released the song with the Joyce words, under the title “Flower Of The Mountain.” That appears on Bush’s 2011 album The Director’s Cut, but most Bush fans will take her original version any day.
"There Goes A Tenner" from The Dreaming (1982)
This is a kind of robbery-caper film turned into a song. Bush gets to flaunt a few of her many regional English accents, and the song has an unexpectedly sweet, nostalgic ending.
"Hello Earth" from Hounds Of Love (1985)
A beautiful, nocturnal song. Electronic drones, a chorus singing a melody from the Republic of Georgia, a bit of elusive spoken German at the end – this song is full of subtle surprises. It is part of The Ninth Wave, a suite of songs that makes up the second half of the album, and is best listened to in that context. So, at this point, you should just go get the album, right?
"50 Words For Snow" from 50 Words For Snow (2011)
Kate Bush proved in 2011 that she hadn’t lost her production chops or her sly wit. This song, another title track, features actor Stephen Fry intoning exactly what the album and song title promise, while Bush urges him on.
"Breathing" from Never For Ever (1980)
Never For Ever has never been one of my favorite Kate Bush albums, despite the presence of some talented musicians from England’s prog-rock scene. But this song has a lovely melody and is an early example of Bush’s keen ear for sound-colors.